The power of music, a statement from Rahsaan Barber…
Rahsaan Barber & Everyday Magic – Six Words – Jazz Music City – CD – 51:58 – ****
(Rahsaan Barber – alto, soprano & tenor saxophone; Roland Barber – trombone; Kevin Beardsley – acoustic & electric bass; Matt Endahl – piano; Joshua Hunt; Pharez Whited – trumpet)
One of the pleasures of reviewing jazz CDs is discovering new artists. In the case of saxophonist, Rahsaan Barber, the excitement is doubled, as Roland’s twin brother, trombonist, Roland Barber, is included on Rahsaan’s latest CD,
Six Words. Recorded in late 2002, and just released on the Jazz Music City label, Rahsaan’s sextet, titled Everyday Magic, has an ensemble blend that is impeccable.
The CD’s title refers to some wise words that Wynton Marsalis gave Barber:
“There is power in this music.” Rahsaan has incorporated Wynton’s words in an eight part suite using the power of music to “inspire, unify, heal, grieve, protest, and to deeply express all manner of human emotion and experience.”
Barber used a grant from the University of North Carolina (where he is an assistant professor of Jazz Studies) to compose and arrange a deeply moving suite. Adding to the magic of this project is the fact that his sextet had never played as a group before and had no rehearsals until the Dec. 15, 2002 recording date at Sony Tree Studios in Nashville. Their ensemble blend shows the high degree of talent of all the musicians to pull off such a feat.
“Unity, Parts 1 & II” display a polish and sophistication, and brother Roland’s assertive trombone is on full display. “The Long Wait for Justice” with its opening somber bass, and Pharez Whitted’s anthemic trumpet, are a perfect mix for this track’s title. The two part “Dreams of Goliath” has Rahsaan and his band mates exchanging choruses, while Pharez Whitted and Roland Barber go to battle in counterpoint on “Sun Dance.”
An emotional highlight for me is Rahsaan’s moving tribute to the late Roy Hargrove on “Remembering Roy.” It moves in many directions from an easy swing to a Latinesque vibe, pushed by Roland Barber’s gut bucket trombone, matched by Whitted’s wicked trumpet.
I’d say that Rahsaan’s vision for the “power of music” passes the test of the “six words” with aplomb. The University of North Carolina should be mighty proud of their Jazz Studies professor, Mr. Rahsaan Barber….
—Jeff Krow
Rahsaan Barber & Everyday Magic – Six Words
Tracklist:
Unity, Part I
The Long Wait for Justice
Dreams of Goliath (Prelude)
Dreams of Goliath
Unity, Part II
Sun Dance
Remembering Roy
Reach
